On February 21, the Supreme Court voiced concern over the conflict between the London Missionary Society (LMS) and the CSI group of Christians.

An SLP against a Madras High Court judgement passed in December 2021 that addressed the issue of adverse possession of certain properties between LMS and CSI was being heard by a bench of Justices KM Joseph, BV Nagarathna, and JB Pardiwala. 

Judge Joseph made a comment during the hearing that the controversy in the petition had nothing to do with the principles of the faith's founder, Jesus Christ.

“Kindly, from time to time, remind yourself what the you are fighting about. I thought you are talking about your faith. What is it that the founder of your faith as taught you? Has it got anything with what you are doing? It's shameful, actually.  I cannot be saying this because I also used to represent some of these parties. But somewhere down the line you have to find a balance”.

The High Court dismissed a revision petition that was submitted there. Possession of the property by the LMS became legally binding. After that, a different property-related case was brought before the High Court, and the Palliyadi Church, which is a part of the LMS community, lost. 

The petitioner argues that the High Court ought to have pointed out that the CSI did not hold title to the plaint property and that real estate cannot be transferred through a simple settlement. Also, that a faulty merger cannot be used to automatically convert LMS members to CSI.

"The concept of automatic conversion of faith is erroneous", the plea stated.



The Palliyadi church was also said to have rejected the rites and authority of the CSI Bishop and to have never permitted meddling from the CSI institution. Being an independent congregational church that chose not to join the CSI Union in 1947, the church is arguing its cause.

Case Title: A Yopu Vs Church Of South India Trust Association

Case no; SLP (C) No. 15590/2022

Appearances of the Advocates:-

For Petitioner(s)
Mr. P. V. Yogeswaran, Adv.
Mr. V. Kandha Prabhu, Adv.
Mr. L. R. Venkatesan, Adv.
Ms. Maitri Goal, Adv.
Mr. Surya Narayan Patro, Adv.
Ms. Priyanka Chowdhary, Adv.
Mr. Hemant Kumar Niranjan, Adv.
Mr. Sachin Kumar Verma, Adv.
Ms. Yakeen Bishoyi, Adv.
Mr. Akshat Srivastava, AOR
Mr. P. V. Yogeswaran, AOR

SLP (C) No. 15590/2022 etc.
Mr. Ashish Kumar Upadhyay, Adv.
Mr. Y. Lokesh, Adv.
Mr. V. Sibi Kargil, Adv.

For Respondent(s)
Mr. Antony R. Julian, Adv.
Mr. Danish Zubair Khan, AOR